An interpretive introduction to quantum field theory / Paul Teller.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Teller, Paul, 1943- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Quantum field theory.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (x, 176 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Princeton, New Jersey : Princeton University Press, 1995.

Summary:

Quantum mechanics is a subject that has captured the imagination of a surprisingly broad range of thinkers, including many philosophers of science. Quantum field theory, however, is a subject that has been discussed mostly by physicists. This is the first book to present quantum field theory in a manner that makes it accessible to philosophers. Because it presents a lucid view of the theory and debates that surround the theory, An Interpretive Introduction to Quantum Field Theory will interest students of physics as well as students of philosophy. Paul Teller presents the basic ideas of quantum field theory in a way that is understandable to readers who are familiar with non-relativistic quantum mechanics. He provides information about the physics of the theory without calculational detail, and he enlightens readers on how to think about the theory physically. Along the way, he dismantles some popular myths and clarifies the novel ways in which quantum field theory is both a theory about fields and about particles. His goal is to raise questions about the philosophical implications of the theory and to offer some tentative interpretive views of his own. This provocative and thoughtful book challenges philosophers to extend their thinking beyond the realm of quantum mechanics and it challenges physicists to consider the philosophical issues that their explorations have encouraged.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

CHAPTER ONE. Preliminaries and Overview

CHAPTER TWO. From Particles to Quanta

CHAPTER THREE. Fock Space

CHAPTER FOUR. Free Quantum Field Theory

CHAPTER FIVE. What the Quantum Field Is Not: Field and Quantal Aspects of Quantum Field Theory

CHAPTER SIX. Interactions

CHAPTER SEVEN. Infinite Renormalization

Bibliography

Index

Notes:

Description based on print version record.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 171-174) and index.

ISBN:

9780691216294

0691216290

OCLC:

1198930740